FINALLY the sun came out, which makes the business of getting round the Devizes constituency – one of the largest in England and in my view the most beautiful – even more enjoyable.

The long sunny evenings have also helped those working so hard to get our villages in great shape for the impending Jubilee festivities, and we have bunting, flags and flowers everywhere as a result.

I have forgone ringside seats for the river pageant in London, as I would far rather be at our village street party.

Jubilee preparations were also on the agenda at the National Village Halls Forum in Westminster last week.

I am a patron of the group and was able to express my support for these dedicated volunteers across Wiltshire and Britain working to keep village halls open and thriving.

I also welcomed the Salisbury Plain Military Wives Choir to the House of Commons where I had arranged for them to perform. They caused a sensation in their glamorous dresses and the singing was so outstanding we got the defence ministers up on their feet and joining in.

As many of these ladies have loved ones currently serving in Afghanistan with Bulfordbased 12th Mechanised Brigade, it was a great way to celebrate the choir’s success and also pay tribute to our armed forces.

I was also able to speak about another local family during the general debate last week, when I asked for more recognition of sudden and unexplained death from epilepsy (SUDEP), which claimed the life of young Charlie Burns from Larkhill last year. It can be very difficult as a parent to speak in public about such tragic and moving issues, but it was the right thing to do. If I can help you with anything, or if you would like to come to one of my regular advice surgeries, then please do telephone my local office on 01380 729358.